Randy Chandler
The chopped cheese sandwich, also known as the chop cheese, is a New York City specialty. It is made with ground beef, onions, and cheese, placed on a hero roll. The sandwich is served with lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments. While American cheese is the traditional choice, some recipes suggest using cheddar, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or provolone. The chopped cheese sandwich is believed to have originated in a Spanish Harlem bodega called Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | American cheese |
| Other types of cheese used | Cheddar, pepper jack, or any other type of cheese |
| Number of slices | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
Chopped cheese sandwiches typically use American cheese
Chopped cheese sandwiches are a type of sandwich that originated in New York City, specifically in bodegas in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. They are made with ground beef, onions, and cheese, all chopped together on a grill and served on a hero roll or hoagie roll. The sandwich has gained significant media attention and has sparked accusations of cultural appropriation.
While chopped cheese sandwiches can be made with various types of cheese, traditional recipes typically use American cheese. This is partly due to its meltability, which allows it to blend seamlessly into the sandwich. American cheese is also widely available and affordable, making it a popular choice for bodegas and home cooks alike.
Some sources suggest that the classic Chopped Cheese sandwich uses yellow American cheese specifically. However, other types of cheese can be used as well, such as cheddar or pepper jack. Ultimately, the choice of cheese may depend on personal preference and availability.
To make a Chopped Cheese sandwich, ground beef is seasoned with salt and pepper and sometimes garlic powder, and other seasonings like Adobo or Worcestershire sauce. The beef is then cooked on a grill or skillet and chopped into pieces. The chosen cheese is added, and the heat is turned off to allow the cheese to melt into the meat. Finally, the sandwich is assembled by spreading mayonnaise and ketchup on the roll, adding the beef and cheese mixture, and topping it with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
The Chopped Cheese sandwich is a beloved comfort food in New York, and its preparation and enjoyment have become a unique part of the city's culture.
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Any cheese can be used, such as cheddar or pepper jack
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City. It is made with ground beef, onions, and cheese, all chopped and cooked together on a grill or griddle, then served with lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments on a hero roll. While the traditional cheese used in a chopped cheese sandwich is American cheese, any type of cheese can be used, such as cheddar or pepper jack.
The sandwich has become a cultural icon in New York, with many people growing up eating it at their local bodegas. It gained significant media attention in the 2010s, with some upscale restaurants and groceries outside of New York City beginning to serve their versions. This sparked accusations of cultural appropriation, as the sandwich holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers, especially those who grew up with it.
The beauty of a chopped cheese sandwich is its customizability. While the traditional version uses American cheese, you can easily substitute it with cheddar, pepper jack, or any other cheese you prefer. The key is to use a cheese that melts well and complements the other ingredients.
When making a chopped cheese sandwich, the ground beef is seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then cooked on a grill or griddle. The onions are usually sautéed separately and mixed into the beef once it is partially cooked. The cheese is then added and allowed to melt before the entire mixture is chopped and combined. The hero roll or hoagie bun is toasted and spread with mayonnaise and ketchup before being filled with the chopped cheese mixture, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomatoes.
So, while American cheese is traditional, feel free to use cheddar, pepper jack, or any other cheese that suits your taste. The versatility of the chopped cheese sandwich is part of what makes it so popular and beloved.
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Cheese is added to the beef and cooked until melted
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City. It is made with ground beef, onions, and cheese, all chopped together and cooked on a grill or griddle. The beef is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and sometimes other seasonings like Adobo or Worcestershire sauce. The cheese used is typically American cheese, but other types such as cheddar or pepper jack can also be used.
Once the beef is cooked, it is chopped into four equal portions. Each portion is then covered with cheese and cooked until the cheese is melted. The number of cheese slices added per portion varies between recipes, with some suggesting two slices per portion and others not specifying a number. The cheese is then mixed or "chopped" into the beef mixture using a spatula.
The melted cheese and beef mixture is then placed on a roll, typically a hero roll or hoagie roll, which has been toasted and spread with mayonnaise and ketchup. The roll is then topped with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes, and additional condiments such as hot sauce may be added.
The chopped cheese sandwich is a popular dish in New York City bodegas and has gained media attention and popularity outside of NYC due to its mentions in hip-hop culture and by celebrity chefs. It is considered a comfort food for many New Yorkers and has sparked debates about cultural appropriation when upscale restaurants began serving their versions at higher prices.
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The sandwich is assembled with condiments, lettuce, and tomatoes
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City, specifically in bodegas throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. It is made on a grill with ground beef, onions, seasonings, and cheese, all of which are chopped together and served on a hero roll or hoagie roll. The sandwich gained significant media attention in the 2010s, and multiple upscale restaurants and groceries began serving it, sparking accusations of cultural appropriation.
The traditional cheese used in a chopped cheese sandwich is American cheese, specifically yellow American cheese. However, some people use other types of cheese such as Cheddar, pepper jack, or any other cheese they prefer. Each sandwich typically uses two slices of cheese. The cheese is melted into the meat mixture and then placed on the roll.
Some people also add other ingredients to their sandwich, such as Adobo seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, or garlic powder. The beef is typically seasoned with salt and pepper, and sometimes other seasonings like seasoned salt, chicken bouillon granules, or Dominican Adobo seasoning. The roll can also be toasted before assembling the sandwich. Overall, the chopped cheese sandwich is a unique and iconic dish that has gained popularity beyond its New York origins.
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Chopped cheese is a New York City specialty, served in bodegas
Chopped cheese is a sandwich that originated in New York City. It is a specialty served in bodegas throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. The sandwich is made on a grill with ground beef, typically pre-formed ground beef patties, onions, adobo or other seasonings, and cheese. All the ingredients are chopped together on the grill as the meat and onions cook and the cheese melts. It is then served with lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments on a hero roll.
The origins of the sandwich are debated, but most agree it was first created in a Spanish Harlem bodega called Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli. There is speculation that the sandwich was an adaptation of an Arab specialty, dagha yamneeya, which is essentially cooked chopped meat and vegetables served with Yemeni bread. The deli claims a former worker invented the sandwich for himself sometime in the 1990s, and the concept spread to other bodegas.
The sandwich gained media attention in the 2010s, with some upscale restaurants and groceries beginning to serve it. This sparked accusations of cultural appropriation, as the sandwich, as served in bodegas, was generally priced at $4 or $5, while the versions offered by upscale purveyors were often two to three times that amount.
The "chopped" part of the name likely refers to the action of chopping the ingredients as they cook, a cooking technique familiar to Yemeni immigrants who run many bodegas in New York. The beef can be seasoned with anything from seasoned salt to Dominican adobo seasoning to chicken bouillon granules. The cheese used is typically American cheese, but any type of cheese can be used, such as cheddar or pepper jack. The sandwich is often served on a hero roll, but other bread options include a baguette, crisped-up hot dog buns, or sub rolls.
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Frequently asked questions
Chopped cheese sandwiches traditionally use American cheese, but any cheese will work. Other options include cheddar, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and provolone.
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City. It is made with ground beef, onions, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments on a hero roll.
To make chopped cheese, cook ground beef or a hamburger patty in a pan with butter, onions, and seasonings. Then, chop the meat and add cheese, cooking until the cheese melts. Finally, assemble the sandwich by transferring the mixture to a bun and topping with lettuce and tomatoes.
Chopped cheese can be found in bodegas throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. It is a New York City specialty and is particularly associated with Harlem.
Yes, chopped cheese is highly customizable. You can experiment with different cheeses, seasonings, and toppings to make your own version. You can also use different types of meat, such as ground chicken, ground turkey, or vegan meat.
